The Last Flowers of Manet

by Andrew Forge and Robert Gordon

In the winter of 1880 Edouard Manet, then 49, was dying. In the last months of his life he funnelled his waning energy into a series of remarkable still lifes - 16 small paintings of flowers - which are brought together in this book. An essay by Andrew Forge pays tribute to the artist's struggle and his legacy, and Robert Gordon's selections from Manet's letters add poignancy to this last glow of a brilliant artistic flame.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0810981645
• ISBN13: 9780810981645
• Release Date: April 1999
• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams
• Length: 48 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 9.0" x 9.5"
• Age Range: 13 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 8 to Postsecondary

Customer Reviews

Spectacular end of life review

This book contains what I consider some of the most powerful "last works" of any impressionist painter. Splendid in the perfection of their simplicity, these last flowers speak to the mystery of beauty in the most ordinary and ephemeral of things...a vase of flowers sent in sympathy to a very ill man. They stand as a testament to the transforming power of the aesthetic experience---akin to a religious experience. I can only hope someday they are collected in an exhibit at the Art Institute of Chicago so I can see them in person.

The Last Flowers of Manet

Absolutely perfect for my "Deathbed Art" themed lecture. A lovely book.

A Beautiful Little Book

A wonderful yet small collection of reproductions of Manet's last works. A very great artist, at the end of his days, paints exquisite small works of flowers. What else could you want?

Manet's last works are simply perfect!

As an art student studying the techniques of the masters, this little book has been invaluable to me. This is for anyone who seriously wants to experience Manet's genius. His little florals leap off the page! The printing is good, too. Faithfully shows detail and tone well. While nothing replaces seeing these works in person, this book is one every artist should have.

Breathtaking Mastery

During the last months of 1882 Edouard Manet was gravely ill. This was to be the last year of his life. He no longer had the strengh for large ambitious work. With frequent rest periods, he had just completed "A Bar at the Folies-Bergere." Due to his ebbing energy he began to paint on a smaller scale, simple bouquets of flowers in a variety of glass vases. Often these were the flowers friends brought to the convalescing artist."The Last Flowers of Manet" is a little gem of a book presenting 16 of these elegant, magical paintings. There are ethereal white lilac blossoms and slashes of pink peony petals shimmering before rich, black backgrounds. There are roses and tulips in warm, golden shades.Just as Matisse in his last days could not make a false stroke when creating his cutout compositions, so Manet brings total mastery to these exquisite, soulful still lifes.